3D Print Blog – 2/22/2018

This week our blog is focusing on sustainability and where 3D printing technology fits in.

As technology continues to grow exponentially, waste electronic devices and parts or “e -waste” is on the rise as well. In 2014, the US global electronics industry generated 42 million tons of obsolete electronics equipment. Australian scientist, Veena Sahajwalla, reckons it’s time for us to get on top of this clean up and make some profit while we’re at it. An average ton of waste cell phones; about 6,000 devices, breaks down to approximately 130 kg of copper, 3 kg of silver, 340 g of gold, and 140 g of palladium. A ton of cellphones seems like a lot, but currently there are approximately 25 million unused waste cellphones in Australia alone. Besides the recycling of valuable resources, Sahajwalla’s program would put 3D printing as one of the industries in line to reap the rewards.

The world’s bee population is dwindling at an unprecedented rate. Michael Candy, a Brisbane based artist, has proposed an artificial pollination method to help. The conceptual project, Synthetic Polleniser, is a system of 3D printed robotic flowers designed to be safer for bees to pollinate than real fauna. Although not a full solution to the problem, because environmental problems and use of chemical pesticides continue to be the main causes of declining bee populations, it’s step in the right direction.

3D Printing in line to reap the rewards from “E-Waste” Recycling

Recent studies suggest the global filament market is expected to hit US6.6 Billion by 2026. With more Eco-Minded consumers on the rise, the market for recycled 3D printing filament is growing. University of South Wales Scientist Veena Sahajwalla’s concept of micro factories would use plastics found in most electronic devices to churn out 3D printing filament very easily using simple technology. These micro factories factories could be scattered all over major hubs like Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide decentralizing e-waste recycling ; and providing thousands of jobs. Sahajwalla and her team art actively developing the technology at USW’s Sustainable Environment Research Centre.

‘Precious Plastic’, started by Dave Hakkens, is global community of people working toward a solution for plastic pollution. On their website they offer open source plans and tutorials on how to build simple machines for processing and recycling plastic. One of these machines dubbed the “Extrusion Machine” can easily create 3D printing filament from shredded plastic. 3D printing can further develop the process by allowing the creation of molds that can be used with their other machines like the injector, to create injection molded objects from fully recycled plastic. The micro factories mentioned above can quickly evolve into methods for production for sustainable, locally manufactured goods in Australia.

Studies suggest “designer crops” or genetically modified crops may one day no longer be able to produce pollen, but may be able to receive it. Brisbane artist, Michael Candy’s “Synthetic Polleniser” could help rehabilitate these plants. Due to pesticides, climate change and Varroa mites, the worldwide bee population is very fragile. This concept could be a solution for the vital role Bee’s play in Australian Agriculture.